File guide
CSV or Excel: which should you use?
Use CSV for a plain table of data. Use Excel when formulas, formatting, or multiple sheets are part of the file.
The simple difference
A CSV contains one table as plain text. It stores the values and the separators between them, but no colors, formulas, charts, or additional sheets.
An Excel .xlsx file can contain several sheets, formulas, cell formatting, charts, and other workbook features.
Which one fits your task?
CSV
Move plain data
Use CSV for exports, imports, and a single table that needs to work across many tools.
XLSX
Work in a spreadsheet
Use Excel when people need to edit cells, use formulas, format a report, or organize several sheets.
UNWRAP
Inspect either file
Open CSV or Excel files in Unwrap when you first want to understand the data inside them.
A few common examples
- An order export from another system: CSV is usually the simpler choice.
- A monthly report with formulas and several tabs: Keep it as an Excel file.
- A table that will be read by a script or database: CSV is widely supported and easy to generate.
- A budget that colleagues update by hand: Excel provides the editing tools they need.
What Unwrap shows
For a CSV, Unwrap detects details such as the separator, encoding, and quote character. It also shows the rows, columns, missing values, and common values.
For an Excel file, Unwrap finds the workbook sheets and opens each sheet as a dataset. You can inspect their rows and columns in the same views used for CSV data.
What happens to Excel formulas and formatting?
Unwrap reads the cell values so it can analyze the data. It does not recreate the spreadsheet layout, preserve cell formatting, or let you work with the formulas.
Your original .xlsx file is not changed. Open it in Excel or another spreadsheet app when you need the complete workbook.
Check the format before opening it
Unwrap supports .xlsx workbooks, not older .xls, OpenDocument, or password-protected spreadsheets. See supported formats for the current list. You can inspect a supported CSV or workbook in Unwrap; use a spreadsheet app when you need to edit or convert it.
Common questions
Is CSV smaller than Excel?
Often, but not always. A CSV only contains text, while an Excel file can contain more features. The actual size depends on the data and how the workbook was created.
Can a CSV contain more than one sheet?
No. A CSV contains a single table. Use separate CSV files or a workbook when you need several tables.
Can I save an Excel workbook as CSV?
Yes, but each CSV can contain only one sheet. Formulas, formatting, charts, and other workbook features are not included in the CSV.
Continue exploring
- CSV viewer — see how Unwrap displays a CSV
- Open large CSV files — inspect exports with many rows
- CSV column analyzer — take a closer look at individual columns
Have a CSV or Excel file to inspect?
Open it in Unwrap →